Dracaena Plant Named &#39;KKDR201204&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  cultivar named ‘KKDR201204’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive foliage variegation pattern unlike other known  Dracaena reflexa  cultivars. The new variety is a  Dracaena , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Dracaena reflexa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘KKDR201204’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new varietyoriginated as a naturally occurring mutation, whole plant mutation ofthe unpatented ‘Song of India’ variety of Dracaena reflexa.

The new variety was first discovered by the inventor, KanchanaKhemakongkanond, a citizen of Thailand, in February of 2005, in anursery in Bangkok, Thailand. After identifying the new variety as apotentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidentialtesting and propagation of ‘KKDR201204’, assessing stability of theunique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201204’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed at the same nursery in Bangkok, Thailandduring July of 2005. Subsequently at least three generations have beenproduced from vegetative cuttings, and have shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘KKDR201204’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘KKDR201204’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘KKDR201204’ as a new and distinct Dracaenacultivar:

1. Distinctive foliage variegation pattern.

2. Outwardly facing foliage on a strong stem.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201204’ are similar to the unpatented‘Song of India’ parent in most horticultural characteristics. The newvariety, however, produces broader and thicker leaves with a yellowcoloration, whereas the parent produces green leaves. Also ‘KKDR201204’has a longer internode length than ‘Song of India’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The parent variety is most similar commercial comparison.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘KKDR201204’ grown in a commercial greenhouse inHonselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 monthsold, shown planted in a 12 cm. container. The photograph was taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘KKDR201204’ plants grown according to thefollowing protocols.

Plants were grown in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, under greenhouseconditions, with temperatures ranging approximately from 25° C. to 36°C. during the day and 17° C. to 25° C. at night with natural sunlight.Measurements and numerical values below represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena reflexa ‘KKDR201204’-   Propagation    -   -   Propagation details.—        -   Time to initiate rooting.—About 6 weeks at approximately            25° C. to 28° C.        -   Root description.—Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not            fleshy, young roots cream-white, older roots Greyed-Orange            163D.-   Plant:    -   -   Age of plant described.—6 months.        -   Pot size of plant described.—17 cm circular pot.        -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Height.—Approximately 24.0 cm.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 42.5 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate, approximately 10 cm per month.        -   Branching characteristics.—not free branching, typically            growing with one main stem from the base. Will only develop            lateral branches after pinching or pruning.        -   Diameter of stem.—Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Internode length.—Average 1.4 cm.        -   Texture of stem.—Smooth, dull.        -   Color of stem.—Yellow-green; near RHS 137C, part just above            leaf near RHS 145C and 145D, both colors present.        -   Stem strength.—Very strong.        -   Number of leaves per stem.—Average 30.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate (spirally) Average Length:            Approximately 11.7 cm. Average Width: Approximately 1.9 cm.            Shape of blade: Lorate Aspect: Leaves in an average angle of            50° to main stem (=)0°, tips slightly curved downward in an            average angle of 200° to horizontal)(=0°) Apex: Pungent (not            sharp to the touch) Base: Broad cuneate Attachment:            Sheathing Margin: Entire Texture of top surface: Smooth,            slightly glossy Texture of bottom surface: Smooth, dull            Color: Young foliage upper side: Green; in between near RHS            N137B and 143A, both colors present, broadly margined and            irregular striped (axial) Yellow-green; near RHS N144B.            Young foliage under side: Green to yellow-green; in between            near RHS 137C and 147B, both colors present, broadly            margined and irregular striped (axial) Yellow-green; near            RHS N144D. Mature foliage upper side: Green; near RHS N137C,            broadly margined Yellow to Greyed-yellow; near RHS 11C and            160D, both colors present, and irregular, striped (axial)            Greyed-green; near RHS 191A and 191B, both colors present.            Mature foliage under side: Green to Greyed-green; in between            near RHS 138C and 191A, both colors present, broadly            margined Yellow to Greyed-yellow; near RHS 11C and 160D,            both colors present. Venation: Type: Parallel Color:            Upperside: As leaf blade Underside: Main veins Green; near            RHS 137A, other veins as leaf blade. Sheath: Average Length:            Approximately 0.3 cm. Average Width: Approximately 0.5 cm.            Color: Green; near RI-IS 138A and 138B both colors present.            Texture: Smooth, slightly glossy Other Distinguishing            Characteristics: No-   Flowering characteristics: Flowering not observed to date.-   Reproductive organs: Not observed to date.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Disease resistance.—Good resistance to the normal diseases            found in Dracaena.        -   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance.—Normal for species,            USDA zone 10 and higher.        -   Fruit/seed production.—No fruits/seeds detected to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plantnamed ‘KKDR201204’ as herein illustrated and described.